What Got Into Me!?

Even I was a bit surprised by what I managed to accomplish this weekend.  I don't have many pictures to show yet, but believe me they are coming.  I basted two quilts, quilted two quilt, bound 3 quilts, finished two swaddling blankets, made a pillow cover, worked on my In From the Cold Quilt, and made matching pj pants for Squeak and his doll. 

Here is the pillow cover (I even bought a pillow form to put in it, yay me!).  I used some of the charms I received from Pink Chalk Fabrics as part of the Charming Solids Club.  This month was World Tour.  I still have quite a bit of the charms and solids left so there may be some coordinating pillows coming.  It will be making its way to a surprise recipient before too long.

 Squeak and his doll looked pretty cute all matchy-matchy.  I didn't use a pattern so these are far from perfect, but hey they fit!

I now have 5 of 9 mugs made for my In From the Cold Quilt.  I have been having issues getting some of my seams and corners to meet up so this will stay with us or be gifted.  I'm sashing them all as I go so hopefully it won't be too much longer before the top is done.

I nearly had a panic attach when the doctor told me Friday that there was a chance they would put me on bed rest.  But after another checkup today I have been cleared for normal life :) 

I hope to start on my HST for the Star Surround QAL tonight...or maybe my project for Le Challenge-I've got my project planned and the fabric ready to go!  Decisions, decisions!!!

Cutting Complete

I finished cutting the fabric for my Star Surround Quilt. 

Now I'm off to link up with Happy Quilting. Anyone else participating in this one?

Mystery Round Robin Quilt

A huge thank you to all of the ladies who worked so hard on my quilt:  Michele, Caroline, Carol, Samantha, and Renae!

This was my first time participating in a round robin and I underestimated the stress that I would have in trying to figure out the perfect border to add.  I will admit that I wasn't crazy about my fabric choices for my center block or with my piecing.  In a way it made it easier because I wasn't worried that I wouldn't like the quilt in the end since I didn't even like it in the beginning.  With that being said, here is my PERFECT Round Robin Quilt.

I decided to quilt it using dense, straight lines in a square starting from the center and working my way out.  This is the first time I've quilted using this closely spaced lines and I love the texture (although, it isn't the softest).

I seem to have a problem with square quilts so when I got it back I added a 2.5" border to the top and to the bottom using a Lizzy House Pearl Bracelet fabric from my LQS.  I know the rules stated that we were supposed to steer away from using too many plain/unpieced borders, I'm so glad that some of the ladies did it anyway.  This quilt has the perfect balance of pieced and non-pieced (or minimally pieced) borders!

The center block was made using a Kate Spain Honey Honey Charm Pack and there is more from that line scattered throughout.  It measures approximately 42" w x 48" l.

The backing and binding are also by Kate Spain (her Terrain line, I think).  A wonderful job all around ladies.  I'm so happy to have had a chance to work with all of you on these quilts and hope your as happy with your finished product as I am. Head over to Quilts From My Crayon Box to see all of the other finished quilts.

July Finishes #3, #4, and #5!

I have several finished quilts to show off today.  I didn't finish them all this weekend but thanks to rainy, dreary weather I had to wait to get decent photos.

The first is my "I'm a Wiener" Quilt.  This pattern is from the Dare to be Square book.  There are several other projects from this book that I will be making in the future!

 This quilt was quick and easy to put together and I still have about 3/4 of a jelly roll left of the S'More Love to use on another project!  I'm thinking another cute quilt and/or some pillowcases.  I did add a five 2.5" (finished) border to the top and bottom since I seem to have a problem with square quilts. 

And this was the perfect excuse to use some of the ombre fabric from the Simply color line.  I used a brown thread on the front and orange on the back.  I was a little worried after quilting this one since I had used a Frixon pen and when I tried to iron off a couple of uneven lines my fabric was left with discolored lines in places.  I had read a series of posts at Freshly Pieced about people having problems with these pens but had never had any trouble myself.  Thankfully after a wash and dry the marks were gone and everything was good as new!

I may have previously shown a sneak peak of my Round Robin Quilt, but this is the full, finished project.  It will be getting its own post later this week so that I can join in the linky party with our wonderful host Quilts From My Crayon Box.

 A quick glimpse of the back.

And an imperfect finish.  More than half of my points were lost in the seams due to operator error when squaring up my blocks.  It's still pretty cute though :)  I just needed an excuse to buy some of this line of fabric.  I had quite a bit of fabric left so I went with a scrappy binding and will probably be making another project or two with the rest (pillow, maybe?).

 The back is made from the panel and a bit of leftover yardage from the front.

First time I've had an opportunity to photograph several finished quilts at once (yay me!).

Thanks to a marathon stitching session (and a cooperative Squeak) I managed to get five blocks of my Summer Sampler completed in 2 days.  I still haven't managed to get all of the frames done for week five but I'll just do them as I go :) 

 I also have the Family Tree quilt halfway quilted.  If I hadn't run out of thread last night when everything was closed it would be finished by now.  It's my first attempt at stippling an entire (child size) quilt.  The back for Halloween Quilt #1 is finally finished and ready to be basted.  I found the kit from JoAnn's that I had listed on my goals for the month.  I'm not sure why I didn't think to look in the playpen (I mean, isn't that where YOU would have put it?).  I also finished up the Monsterz Quilt top and need to baste it.  So all in all a pretty productive weekend!

And my baby had to have all of his essentials (cereal-check, milk-check, remote-check) this morning but didn't have enough hands so here's a pic of him improvising...I'm pretty sure his phone charger cord (his other favorite thing) is on the floor not far away :P

Linking up with Plum & June, Sew Cute Tuesday, Linky Tuesday, Needle and Thread Thursday, and Thursday Threads.

Progress: A Pictureless Post

To be totally honest, this post is more for me than you (sorry!).  I needed a place to sit and figure out where I'm at on all of the goals I set for myself this month.  I do have lots of finished projects to show off, but between my camera issues and the torrential rain that we've been having since Saturday, they will have to wait.

Here are my original goals, followed by the progress I've made on them:

•   Make a baby quilt from the kit I bought on clearance at JoAnn's-nothing too special, but it should be a quick finish and make room on my shelf.--I went way backwards on this one, as in I lost the stupid thing and haven't the faintest idea where I could have put it...it will turn up eventually but probably not in time for a finish for this month.

• Finish nursing covers-I'm trying to get everything ready for Little Miss's arrival.  These most likely would have already been done if I could find boning anywhere.--Finished!
  

• Receiving Blankets-these have already been cut to the proper size, they just need seams on the edges.--I've finished one of the three I have cut. 

• Family Tree Baby Blanket-top is pieced, just need to buy the backing, basted, quilt and bind.--No progress yet.
  

• Boo Crew Quilt-Just needs binding.--Finished!
  

• Headbands-they each just need one, little seam to be completed.--Finished!
  

• Riley Blake Halloween Quilt-my oldest WIP and the second quilt I ever started.  I need to finish piecing the back, then just baste, quilt and bind!--No progress.
  

• New Wedding Quilt (not to be confused with the Dreaded Wedding Quilt)-again, this quilt isn't really my style, but at least the design is so much simpler than the previous one!  The top is almost complete...a trip to the fabric store and we should be good to go :)--Finished and delivered to the bride and groom!

So far I have four finishes from this list (as well as a couple not on here) and 4 to go!  There's still time...


Hopefully I'll have a fun, photo filled post for tomorrow's TGIFF link up!

2 Down, ??? To Go

I'm feeling pretty good about this month so far.   I finished up and shipped off the last block in the Mystery Round Robin.  It was fun, but I doubt I participate in another one any time soon...too stressful!

I've already got two quilts completely finished and 3 more tops basted and ready to quilt.  Not too bad for only 7 days into the month!

 My first finish of the month...The Boo Crew Precuts Quilt.  This pattern was entirely my own creation.  I used two charm packs, a mini charm pack, and a bit of yardage for the sashing.  I loved it, very little cutting required and a quick finish.  It is quilted with a glow in the dark thread but I haven't tested it out yet to see if it actually works.  On another note, this is the first quilt that I have made for US :)

 (like how Squeak managed to get himself into the picture?)

 My second finish is the Crimson & Cream Wonky Stars Wedding Quilt.  Again, another quick finish.  Straight line quilting outlining the blocks.  The front was quilted with a variegated cream thread and the back with a variegated red.  No tension problems this time so there is no red thread showing through the front (YAY!)

 A shot of the backing and binding.  The binding is a marbled red.  The bride requested the colors used be deep red and cream or white.  I know I got the mix of cream and white right, let's just hope the reds are okay. 

 I purchased the Dare to Be Square book quite awhile back and have been waiting for a chance to jump into the projects.  The new S'More Love jelly roll was perfect for this little "I'm a Wiener" quilt.  And I still have plenty left for another quilt!  I cut it Thursday night and had it pieced by Friday.

 I will admit that I am way behind on my Summer Sampler at this point.  I'm trying to catch up, but I don't see it happening before the next row is released on Friday.

And last night when I had a bit of free time did I start quilting any of the completed tops in waiting?  No, after much debate, I cut into the In From the Cold layer cake :).  I have one block completed (not my best work, seams are way off) and another cut and ready to piece.

On top of all of that, there has been some headway in the nursery redo.  Nothing too exciting, but I think we'll manage to squeeze everything into the closet now!

Linking up with Fabric Tuesday and Freemotion by the River :)

Before I Forget (AGAIN)...

here are the pictures of the dreaded Wedding Quilt.  It was made using one of the blocks from the Sea of Stars pattern by Don't Call Me Betsy.  It was originally supposed to be made using the entire pattern but it was taking me FOREVER and I was running out of fabric so it got altered a bit.

The front.

Close Up.

Back.

Label.

Envelope style Pillow Covers made with extra blocks. 

Linking up with TGIFF!

A Happy Fourth

I had Wednesday and Thursday off of work and I made the most of it!

Wednesday was spent at one of the LQSs with some like minded ladies.  I didn't get a whole lot accomplished, but I needed the time away from everything else.

My two accomplishments while I was there:

 Lucky Stars June block

 And the Lucky Stars July block.

I'm so excited to be getting somewhat caught up on my BOMs!!!

And the first step in redoing the entire nursery was curtains.  Such a major difference from the short, dark blue ones from before!  I will actually be raising them by a couple of inches and getting new thicker curtain rods before it is all said and done :).  I have purchased all of the fabrics for the nursery (yay!) and it should all be here in the next couple of days so be on the lookout for numerous new projects featuring Sara Jane fabrics!

I started this Wonky Star quilt last Friday and had it pieced by Saturday night.  I had to wait for Squeak to finally take a nap in order to baste it though.  That never happened but I did get Hubby to keep him sequestered in his nursery for about an hour while I got it all ready to go last night.  I plan on doing widely spaced straight line quilting so it should be done pretty quick.

I do have a couple of other small projects to show off but due to the late time of night when they were finished, they will have to wait :P

That's it for today.  Let's hope I have a lot to show you come Monday!

Linking up with the Paper Piecing Party over at Quiet Play :)

Fresh Sewing Day & July Goals

 First, a look back at this month's accomplishments

 Not too bad!  There are a couple more that could go on here but I haven't had time to edit the photos/post about them yet.

And on to my goals for this month.  Most of these are not old projects (except the Riley Blake Halloween Quilt, which is my oldest WIP).  In fact, a majority of them were started last week, but still a goal is a goal...

•   Make a baby quilt from the kit I bought on clearance at JoAnn's-nothing too special, but it should be a quick finish and make room on my shelf.

• Finish nursing covers-I'm trying to get everything ready for Little Miss's arrival.  These most likely would have already been done if I could find boning anywhere.

• Receiving Blankets-these have already been cut to the proper size, they just need seams on the edges.

• Family Tree Baby Blanket-top is pieced, just need to buy the backing, basted, quilt and bind. 

• Boo Crew Quilt-Just needs binding.

• Headbands-they each just need one, little seam to be completed.

• Riley Blake Halloween Quilt-my oldest WIP and the second quilt I ever started.  I need to finish piecing the back, then just baste, quilt and bind!

• New Wedding Quilt (not to be confused with the Dreaded Wedding Quilt)-again, this quilt isn't really my style, but at least the design is so much simpler than the previous one!  The top is almost complete...a trip to the fabric store and we should be good to go :)

Don't you just love how all of my pictures are of the folded up project and you can't actually see anything?!  I wanted to keep everyone guessing (no, not really, I just didn't want to have to refold everything after I was done).

Not a terrible list if you think that nearly all of them are almost done or are very small projects.  Of course I hope to actually accomplish a LOT more, but I'll start with this!

In other exciting news, I did pick up all of the nursery fabrics on Saturday and am ready to get started cutting, and I ordered fusible thread off of Amazon to use for future bindings!

Linking up with Let's Get Acquainted, Anything Goes, and Fresh Sewing Day.